Vincenzo Nibali: Dumoulin totally deserved to win the Giro d’Italia

After over three weeks of racing, Vincenzo Nibali failed to win a third pink jersey as Tom Dumoulin became the first Dutchman to win the Giro d’Italia following a strong ride in the 29.3km time trial from the Monza race track to Milan.

Naro Quintana managed to hang on to second place, with home favourite and defending champion Vincenzo Nibali having to settle for third.

“I wanted to finish on the top step of the podium but I’ve no regrets because I gave my very best. This is an important podium and an important result for me. I always expect more from myself but I think I did my best.”

“I rode to win the Giro d’Italia, not just finish on the podium in Milan. I gave it everything and I think people saw that,” Nibali said.

“The time trials were the key to his year’s Giro d’Italia. That helped Tom. But he was the strongest and came out on top. He totally deserved to win the Giro d’Italia.”

“It’s never easy to race day after day, always being ready for anything. We’ve all got strengths and weaknesses and they emerged during the three weeks of intense racing,” Nibali explained.

“I had some good days but also some difficult days. The worst were the finish to Blockhaus and Oropa when I lost some time, perhaps too much time. They were key stages for me. I didn’t have the brute strength on the single climb finishes and I didn’t give my best. But as I said, I fought all the way and gave it my best shot”